Stereo Imaging


I think I've written about this before, but I wonder how many of us who use the same system for HT and music get fooled into suspecting the center channel must be generating the center image. I was playing the Abkco disc of "Let It Bleed" and found myself compelled once again to put my ear to the center channel to assure it was not generating the strong centered image I was hearing. Intellectually I knew it wasn't because I've tested it before, but the image is so strong it creates a cognitive dissonance. In a world of 7.1, I'm afraid I forget just how effective stereo can be in generating a soundstage.

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In the digital domain, I can cleanly adjust multiple points of stereo imaging of my active L/R mains through a Behringer DEQ 2496. It's processing the unadjusted digital signal from my Pro from all sources. The DEQs' 1.0 stereo image setting is normal stereo, 0.0 is full mono, and 3.0 wide. This set-up keeps timbre matching correct in 2-channel while keeping the bass more centered for certain recordings.

My SVS Ultra13 sub is connected to the 2496's fixed balanced analog outs. For multiple channel sources, I turn on my Proceed AMP5. It takes a moment to independently adjust volume controls in multi-channel. Then, I use the Pro's INPUT SIGNAL adjustment of -8 to +8 dB's to control the entire systems volume.

The Pro's front panel has multi-channel volume attenuators for very fine adjustments of the front and surrounds, too. It's perfect to finey adjust the different timbres of my main's and surrounds.

This set-up allows a range of stereo imaging by blending my main's into the center stage, or, go full multi-channel.

As a side note, Subs can be challenging to set-up. The Ultra took a very focused listening session to set the high/low passes, and especially the phase and slope roll offs. It helped me to turn main's volume up to a "moderate low" and turn up the sub more to better hear the adjustments most accurately.